"You want him to do what?" Dean gaped; staring at Balthazar like he just sprouted another head.
Balthazar took a calming breath.
"We need to send him to an alternative universe so that he can stop Lucifer from there. Otherwise we're all screwed, do you want that?" For a few moments it was silent. Bobby, Dean, Castiel, Sam, Gabriel and Balthazar all stood around the empty bed waiting for the next person to speak.
Dean was the first one to break the silence, "No. No, he's not going."
"Dean."
"No Cas, you– can't go." Dean let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in. If he goes he could get hurt… I can't lose him again- I won't! I've only just got him back.
"Dean, can we talk for a minute?" Sam ushered Dean away from the crowd and looked him in the eyes. "He needs to go. This is the only time I'm agreeing with him but Balthazar is right. If Cas doesn't go we're all screwed. We don't know how Lucifer is planning to escape his cage and more importantly we have nothing to use against him when he escapes- which he will if Cas doesn't stop him. I know it's hard for you to let him do this, I do, but you have to let him. I mean we don't have the four horsemen rings anymore, so Cas is our last resort. Dean, please think about this."
Sam could see the gears running in Deans head. He could see how many mixed emotions his older brother was having. Doubt, fear, worry. But it was true, Castiel had to do this, he was the only one who could.
Dean took a deep breath in, "Sam, do you remember what happened last time we faced Lucifer?"
"Unfortunately yes."
Apologetic green eyes turned back to Sam. "Then you know why I can't let him go. He freakin' died Sam. For us. Then there was all that mess with Crowley and Purgatory…When I kept hallucinating about him I knew that he has died for us one too many times. Died for me. He deserves better Sam. He has gone to the absolute limit for us so many times; tell me why do I have to risk losing him again?"
Silence. "Maybe he won't have to die for us again."
"What?"
"I mean who says he'll die? Knowing Cas, which I do, he will take the uttermost precautions whilst he's there to ensure no one except Lucifer is hurt. He won't let himself be hurt -because then he'd be hurting you and he loves you Dean. Do you trust him?"
Dean stated boldly, "More then I trust myself."
Sam smiled. "Then trust him to do this."